A space for Carapace

Like David, Cris asserted that having a space in which there are only “Carapace” people was important to making Carapace a “safe space.”

I think the thing that makes it feel safe for

a new storyteller

is that,

in the old space we had there

and now in the new side that we’re doing it in,

that entire side is all

Carapace people,

Cris clarified that, when the show was at Venkman’s, he didn’t feel “unsafe” but

if I was someone newer, who

wasn’t used to performing to

hostile audiences, [laugh]

it would be very intimidating

He equated an uninterested, unengaged audience with a hostile audience. Having the audience not pay attention probably isn’t as bad as having them heckling you. But it is hostile. It is a bad feeling as a performer to not have the audience’s attention.

Cris mentioned that even at Venkman’s where the audience wasn’t all paying attention, he didn’t want to create a hostile environment for the audience.

there are people they came for dinner.

They didn’t know there was a show going on.

They’re not trying to be disruptive.

They’re not like heckling or booing,

or anything like that.

But they’re just not,

“Oh there’s a show?”

And they’re having conversations with

whoever they came to dinner with.

So I don’t want to

make those people,

call attention to them, and like,

“Hey! Shut up!”

or anything like that.

I guess I went more with the strategy of

trying to make what we were doing interesting.

My goal was always

if somebody had their back to the stage,

and they weren’t paying attention,

at some point I want them to turn around and be like

“what’s going on?” like

something to grab their attention.

He was kind to the audience, but still gently tried to get their attention by being extra interesting.